Visitors to Lapland can now feel like intrepid explorers tracking some of Scandinavia’s most endangered species in their own habitat during the mild summer months with a newly launched wildlife adventure.
Launched this week, guests can come face to face with the rare Arctic fox, European brown bears, moose, Eurasian beavers, and Scandinavia’s three types of reindeer alongside specialist guides whilst travelling safari-style from Swedish Lapland to Northern Norway.
The seven-day Animal Encounter, available from May to August, has been created by specialist travel company Off the Map Travel to showcase the unique wildlife of Scandinavia and the animals that live there.
After a night in the famous Treehotel’s new Biosphere room, with a façade containing 340 bird’s nests, the adventure really begins with a private guided tour of Storforsen waterfall and a stay in a secluded log cabin, where the first wild animals can be spotted – European brown bears.
These omnivorous creatures inhabit the mountains and forests in Sweden, eating a wide range of foods like berries, bees, and voles. They are a protected species in Sweden, with various conservation projects helping to research and manage them.
From the comfort of a hide based at the cabin, your expert guide will highlight the key signs of bear activity and provide tips like avoiding perfume or aftershave as the bears have a very strong sense of smell. The experience also provides the perfect opportunity to spot other wildlife such as Arctic foxes, martens, raccoon dogs, and golden eagles.
“Africa is known for its safaris, but not many people get the opportunity to have a safari-style adventure anywhere else,” Jonny Cooper, founder of Off the Map Travel, said.
“This wildlife adventure enables people to see some of Scandinavia’s most magnificent animals, all in their natural habitat, with professional guides to help them track the animals, learn more about them, and capture some amazing photos.”
The luxurious safari-style accommodation throughout provides the perfect addition to this wilderness adventure, affording guests the opportunity to relax whilst still in the thick of nature. Some of the accommodation has secluded hot tubs, perfectly placed for spotting native birds, such as the Lapland bunting and Rough-legged buzzard, under the midnight sun.
Over the course of the 7-day trip, guests will go on a quad bike tour past crystal clear lakes and through arctic forests, home to moose, Arctic fox, and native birds; whizz through forest trails on a cart pulled by a pack of huskies before meeting the dogs and their puppies; hike to beaver dens and spot some of Scandinavia’s 150,00 beavers; meet a local Sami family and their reindeer herd, learning about their indigenous lifestyle over a delicious lunch of local and foraged ingredients and drive along the Norwegian fjords to Narvik’s Polar Park, the world’s northernmost animal park, for a photography session of lynx, deer and wolves with a private wildlife guide.
Picnics and evening meals are provided each day comprising of the region’s best local cuisine, including locally caught fish and freshly baked cakes and pastries.
“There are so many different animals to see on this adventure that you don’t often get to see in real life, including the endangered arctic fox,” Cooper added: “The accommodation perfectly complements the experience which is all about immersing yourself in nature.
“It’s the ideal trip for any animal lover and the guides are so knowledgeable that guests are sure to leave with a new understanding of the animals they see, great memories, and amazing photos to treasure.”
The seven-day, six-night safari-style Animal Encounter itinerary costs from £8259 per person, on a full board basis, based on two people travelling, not including flights.
This includes one night’s hotel accommodation at Treehotel, one night’s accommodation in a secluded “bear cabin”, one night’s accommodation at the Arctic Retreat, one night’s accommodation at Arctic Bath, two night’s hotel accommodation in Narvik, private transfers, all activities, and all meals. Flights are additional.
All accommodation is 4-star, excluding the bear cabin and hide.
For more information visit www.offthemap.travel, call 0800 566 8901 or email info@offthemap.travel
